There are three candidates running in the 120th Legislative District – a Democratic Party challenger, a republican incumbent, and a Constitution Party challenger:

State Representative – District 120

Democrat

ZACHARIAH (ZAC) A MAGGI CLINTON MO 630 2/23/2010

Republican

SCOTT N LARGENT CLINTON MO 442 2/23/2010

Constitution

RICHARD HOXSEY BUTLER MO 387 2/23/2010

Zac Maggi, the Democratic Party candidate, filed his first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 14th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: MAGGI FOR STATE REPRESENATIIVE

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $7,870.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $1,025.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $9,235.00

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $4,161.40

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $5,073.60

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $0.00

[emphasis added]

Not a huge quarter, but decent cash on hand. Let’s take a look at contributions:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MAGGI FOR STATE REPRESENATIIVE

Report Date: 4/1/2010

9. AMOUNT OF ITEM 8 THAT WAS RECEIVED AS MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS $1,025.00

11. TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AT FUND-RAISERS AS REPORTED IN LINE 8 ON FORM CD 1A $340.00

Well, contributions from individuals (a few attorneys) and no PACs or institutions.

Expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: MAGGI FOR STATE REPRESENATIIVE

ReportDate: 4/1/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Advertising $65.77

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Letter Craft 01/15/2010 Remit Envelopes $247.48

Strike Zone Bowling Alley Clinton, MO 01/21/2010 Fundraiser $500.00

Clinton Post Office Clinton, MO 01/22/2010 $122.58

Minuteman Press St. Charles, MO 03/08/2010 Envelopes and Letterhead $373.54

Boy Scouts Of America Troop 225 Clinton, MO 01/18/2010 Donation $150.00

Ah, fundraising.

The incumbent, Scott Largent (r), filed his first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 9th:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: CITZENS FOR LARGENT

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $17,895.78

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $4,650.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $22,545.78

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $4,395.68

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $17,870.14

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $0.00

[emphasis added]

Ah, the power of republican incumbency? let’s take a look at where the money came from:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: CITZENS FOR LARGENT

Report Date: 3/31/2010

RIGHT CHOICE MANAGED CARE INC CINCINNATI, OHIO 01/31/2010 $500.00

UP RAILROAD 02/15/2010 $500.00

SERVEPRO CLINTON, MO 03/31/2010 $3,000.00

11. TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AT FUND-RAISERS AS REPORTED IN LINE 8 ON FORM CD 1A $0.00

12. TOTAL ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $25 OR LESS $0.00

13. TOTAL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM PERSONS GIVING $100 OR LESS $0.00

[emphasis added]

What is it with republican incumbents and large contributions on the last day of the quarter propping up their fundraising numbers? Just asking. Not very grassrootsie, is it? Take away that single $3,000.00 contribution and the two major party candidates had similar fundraising quarters.

Let’s take a look at the expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: CITZENS FOR LARGENT

ReportDate: 3/31/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

CLINTON FLOWER SHOP SUPPLIES $37.62

What, no t-shirts?

The Constitution Party candidate, Richard Hoxsey, filed his first quarter campaign finance report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on April 14th. In a break with tradition for third party candidacies intended as a futile gesture, he actually filed a full report instead of a waiver:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: RICHARD HOXSEY CANDIDATE FOR STATE REP 120TH

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $0.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $200.00

15. TOTAL EXPENDITURES THIS ELECTION (SUM 10B + 14A) $103.46

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $96.54

35. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 29 + 30 + 31 – 32 – 33 – 34) $0.00

[emphasis added]

There’s no where to go but up.

Let’s guess where the money came from, shall we?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: RICHARD HOXSEY CANDIDATE FOR STATE REP 120TH

Report Date: 4/13/2010

Richard Hoxsey Butler MO 03/03/2010 $200.00

Yep, you’ve got to admire his spunk.

The expenditures:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe: RICHARD HOXSEY CANDIDATE FOR STATE REP 120TH

ReportDate: 4/13/2010

A. EXPENDITURES OF $100 OR LESS BY CATEGORY

Office Supply $65.47

Office Supply $37.99

The money game in this district has always been bizarre. The race is gonna be won or lost on the ground – whoever hits the most doors and makes the best one on one contact.

Democratic party candidate Zac Maggi is challenging incumbent republican Representative Scott Largent, one of the republican party’s Johnson County triplets, in the 120th Legislative District. The republican triplets – Largent, Denny Hoskins, and Mike McGhee – are so named because their districts encompass parts of the county and because they vote in reliable lockstep with the republican leadership in the General Assembly.

Zac Maggi filed his report with the Missouri Ethics Commission on October, 13, 2009

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: MAGGI FOR STATE REPRESENATIIVE

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $0.00

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $6,400.00

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

4. MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD $0.00

5. SUBTOTAL MONETARY RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD ( SUM 2A + 3A + 4A ) $6,400.00

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

7. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD (SUM 5A + 6A) $6,400.00

8. FUNDS USED FOR REPAYING LOANS THIS PERIOD $0.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $6,400.00

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $4,743.07

[emphasis added]

No loans. It’s a good start.

And where did the money come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MAGGI FOR STATE REPRESENATIIVE

Report Date: 10/15/2009

Commonfolk Missourians Jefferson City, MO 09/14/2009 $200.00

…and a whole bunch of individual contributors.

The contrast with the republican incumbent is startling.

Let’s take a look at the report filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission by incumbent Representative Scott Largent (r) on October 2, 2009:

Detailed Summary of Committee Disclosure Report

Committe: CITZENS FOR LARGENT

ReportDate:

1. TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THIS ELECTION PREVIOUSLY REPORTED $4,770.26

2. ALL MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $7,299.50

3. ALL LOANS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

4. MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD $0.00

5. SUBTOTAL MONETARY RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD ( SUM 2A + 3A + 4A ) $7,299.50

6. IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED THIS PERIOD $0.00

7. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS PERIOD (SUM 5A + 6A) $7,299.50

8. FUNDS USED FOR REPAYING LOANS THIS PERIOD $0.00

9. TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS THIS ELECTION(SUM 1B + 7A – 8A) $12,069.76

28. MONEY ON HAND AT THE CLOSE OF THIS REPORTING PERIOD (SUM 25 + 26 – 27) $9,232.76

[emphasis added]

And where did the money come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: CITZENS FOR LARGENT

Report Date: 10/1/2009

FRIENDS OF TILLEY PERRYVILLE, MO 09/28/2009 $500.00

TRUMAN REGION PAC JEFFERSON CITY MO 07/23/2009 $325.00

AMERISTAR CASINO KANSAS CITY INC KANSAS CITY MO 07/23/2009 $125.00

AMERISTAR CASINO ST CHARLES ST CHARLES MO 07/23/2009 $125.00

MISSOURI PHARMACY PAC JEFFERSON CITY MO 07/13/2009 $200.00

MO INDEPENDENT BANKERS ASSOC PAC LIBERTY MO 07/25/2009 $500.00

MHA PAC JEFFERSON CITY MO 09/09/2009 $1,000.00

MISSOURI INSURANCE COALITION PAC JEFFERSON CITY MO 09/30/2009 $300.00

FEAPAC OF MISSOURI OVERLAND PARK KS 09/30/2009 $325.00

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF KC PAC FOR MO KANSAS CITY MO 09/30/2009 $500.00

[emphasis added]

Ooh look, there’s that campaign contribution goodness from the House republican leadership. Mindless obedience can be a good thing.

Ah, yes. Representative Scott Largent (r), PACman. Political action committees don’t vote. True, they can and do spend money, lots of it, but they can’t vote. Yet.

The 30 Day After Election Reports (pdf) from candidates and committees were due on December 4th. There’s always a good chance you’ll run into something interesting when you root around the on-line reports at the Missouri Ethics Commission site.

For instance, there were two open seat legislative races in west central Missouri which looked to be good Democratic pick up opportunities this cycle. The Democratic candidates were excellent (and a sign of strong recruiting). The republican candidates appeared to be rather lackluster. The results in the November General Election were not good, though:

Official Election Returns

State of Missouri General Election  – 2008 General Election

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

As announced by the Board of State Canvassers

on Tuesday, December 02, 2008

State Representative – District 120 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 41 of 41

Largent, Scott N. REP 8,893 51.0%

Kenney, Kristi L. DEM 8,540 49.0%

Total Votes   17,433

Official Election Returns

State of Missouri General Election  – 2008 General Election

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

As announced by the Board of State Canvassers

on Tuesday, December 02, 2008

State Representative – District 121 – Summary

Precincts Reporting 7 of 7

Hoskins, Denny L. REP 7,004 50.5%

Jackson, Jim DEM 6,875 49.5%

Total Votes   13,879

Both Democratic candidates lost by small margins (though the 121st Legislative District race is going to be recounted next week). What happened? Money. Lots of it.

Remember the Missouri Club for Growth back in the August primary? They were at it again in the general election. Let’s take a look at a slice of the pie, via the Missouri Ethics Commission:

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe[e]: MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH COMMITTEE

Report[ ]Date: 11/5/2008

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Victory Enterprises Davenport, IA 52802 11/04/2008 Opposition Research $2,200.00

Victory Enterprises Davenport, IA 52802 11/04/2008 Radio Production hd 121 $250.00

Victory Enterprises Davenport, IA 52802 11/04/2008 Radio Production for HD Kenney $250.00

[emphasis added]

Just a reminder:

CONTINUING Date Established:6/6/2008

Date Terminated:

MECID:C081296

MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH COMMITTEE

ST LOUIS MO 63109

TREASURER: ED MARTIN

ST LOUIS MO 63109

[emphasis added]

Detailed Summary of Expenditures And Contributions Made

Committe[e]: MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH COMMITTEE

Report[ ]Date: 10/29/2008

B. ITEMIZED EXPENDITURES ALL OVER $100 AND ALL PAYMENTS TO CAMPAIGN WORKERS

Victory Enterprises Davenport, IA 52802 10/28/2008 Radio for Scott Largent, H-120 $1,439.46

Victory Enterprises Davenport, IA 52802 10/28/2008 Radio for D Hoskins, HD 121 $1,556.25

[emphasis added]

Where did all that money come from?:

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH COMMITTEE

Report Date: 10/27/2008

A. ITEMIZED CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FROM COMMITTEES REGARDLESS OF THE AMOUNT, OR FROM PERSONS GIVING MORE THAN $100 TO A COMMITTEE.

Missouri Club for Growth Columbia, Mo 65201 10/27/2008 50000 [aggregate contribution to date] $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

Detailed Summary of Contributions And Loans Received

Committee: MISSOURI CLUB FOR GROWTH COMMITTEE

Report Date: 10/15/2008

Missouri Club for Growth Columbia, Mo 65201 7/29/2008 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

There’s something familiar about the name of that contributor. I just can’t quite put my finger on it.

The Missouri Club for Growth incorporated as a non-profit (pdf) in Missouri on September 27, 2007. The Board of Directors at that time? Bob Behnen, Larry Schuster, and Robert Willard. The Missouri Secretary of State also has the 2008 Annual Registration Report (Non Profit) for the Missouri Club for Growth (pdf) filed on July 29, 2008. The Executive Director? Ed Martin. The Board of Directors? Michael J. Crumblis, Rob Willard, Larry Schuster, Robert J. Behnen.

I didn’t happen to notice a 30 Day After Election Report for the fine civic minded namesake committee:

A snapshot of the available on-line Missouri Ethics Commission 2008 campaign finance filings for the Missouri Club for Growth Committee. Taken on December 6, 2008.

Maybe they’re really busy with something else these days. Or, maybe there’s a backlog at the Missouri Ethics Commission.

Hey, Ed Martin, come on down and explain all those expenditures and where the money came from! And once you’re here we’ve got a bunch of questions to ask you about the governor’s e-mails.

Part of that long hard slog of local politics for candidates, the retail aspect as it were, is in showing up at the many meetings in a district. It’s a good thing. Voters hear from the candidates and if the voter is engaged they might even ask a few questions.

The Johnson County Democratic Club holds a monthly meeting at a local eating establishment on West Pine Street in downtown Warrensburg. Activist Democrats and an occasional new face will show up for the dinner meeting. Candidates attend and, as time permits, they are handed the microphone with the invitation to say a few words.

Tonight we had one such meeting. Jeffrey Alvarado and Jim Jackson, candidates in the 121st Legislative District, and Kristi Kenney, candidate in the 120th Legislative District, were given the opportunity to speak at the meeting.

Jeffrey Alvarado:

…I am in the race for the 121st along with Mr. Jackson here. And also Mr. Arton. But, if you vote for me I will represent you to the best of my ability.

My number one priority is to restore Medicaid to the people who have lost it. My number two priority is to come up with a catastrophic insurance where Medicaid would be billed for it, versus businesses…

…I’m not collecting money at this time [soliciting campaign contributions], which is a good thing. [laughter] I have lots of signs from two years ago. I’m gonna recycle them later on…

…If you vote for me I appreciate it…Thank you. [applause]

Note: the single photo I was able to take of Jeffrey Alvarado didn’t turn out.

Jim Jackson, candidate in the 121st Legislative District

…yes, I’m running for the 121st Legislative District. I’ve been traveling around the district and found a number of different issues that have been very important to a lot of us, including of course, health care. Including adequate funding of education. Including the ability for people to be able to afford health care. Including economic development which we’re going to learn a lot about in just a few minutes. [The evening’s program included a presentation by the director of the local economic development entity] We’ve got very good economic development here in Johnson County.

We’ve got a lot to look at in Johnson County, we’ve got a lot to look at in the state. I was in Jefferson City the other day and saw the infighting that was going on there and it was absolutely disgusting. Coming from a business man’s point of view I couldn’t believe these people can’t even get along to get things passed.

I can do that…I can do a good job as your state rep…Thank you. [applause]

Kristi Kenney, candidate in the 120th Legislative District

…120th District…I ran in 2006 [against Shannon Cooper] and many of the problems that, the reasons I ran in 2006 are still present today. There are thousands of children and lots of people that are uninsured. The education formula gets twisted every year, but it’s never quite fully funded. There’s an increasing, alarming rate of children entering foster care in residential centers…over the years I’ve learned that children need loving and secure families. We need to have portable affordable health care and education has to be funded…Most everybody [Democrats] are addressing those same issues. We’re going to get some ideas on how we think we can remedy those issues. So, I look forward to meeting you all again…I appreciate your support, I had great support two years ago…Thank you. [applause]